What's happening
This bill allows New York residents aged 65 and over to take up to nine SUNY or CUNY credit hours per semester tuition-free.
Why it matters
Expands educational opportunities for older adults. by allowing New York residents aged 65 and over to earn college credit (not just audit classes) at SUNY and CUNY schools without paying tuition, making higher education more accessible to seniors who want to pursue degrees, certifications, or personal enrichment.
Encourages lifelong learning and social engagement. for seniors, which has been linked to improved cognitive health, reduced isolation, and greater community involvement, potentially improving quality of life and health outcomes for older New Yorkers.
May increase classroom diversity and intergenerational interaction. , as older students bring unique perspectives and experiences that can enrich discussions and benefit younger students as well as faculty.
Could have fiscal implications for SUNY and CUNY institutions. while tuition revenue from these students would be forgone, increased enrollment by seniors might be offset by state support, fill under-enrolled courses, or require careful management to ensure space availability for traditional students.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Free College Classes for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 1672a
- Amend (t) and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free College for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Simcha Felder
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1672--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI, ORTIZ, SCHIMMINGER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE, AUBRY, COLTON, COOK, CYMBROWITZ, DINOWITZ, GANTT, HOOPER, MAGEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Higher Education in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing persons over age sixty-five to enroll in a limited number of SUNY or CUNY credit hours without tuition
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law, as separately amended by chapters 552 and 616 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, such regulations may permit persons sixty years of age or over to audit courses given therein without tuition, examination, grading or credit therefor upon a space available basis, as determined by the president of each such institution, provided that such audit attendance does not deny course attendance at a state-operated institution by an individual who is otherwise qualified under the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, persons sixty-five years of age or over who are residents of the state shall be eligible to take not more than nine credit hours of courses for credit per semester without tuition.
§ 2. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law, as added by chapter 344 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, the board of trustees may permit persons
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00576-03-8
A. 1672--A 2
sixty years of age or over to audit courses given therein without tuition, examination, grading or credit therefor upon a space available basis, as determined by the president of each such institution, provided that such audit attendance does not deny course attendance at the city university of New York by an individual who is otherwise qualified under this section. For purposes of this section, persons sixty-five years of age or over who are residents of the state shall be eligible to take not more than nine credit hours of courses for credit per semester without tuition.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.